Can We have Good Candidates

1st published in Heraldo Feb 2020

The election results in Delhi have generated a lot of interest and predictions for the future. A new discourse has started, if performance during the regime is going to be a factor in future elections or will freebies be the order of the day. These results give the impression that the voter is discerning and is now looking forward to a new type of political class.

Arvind Kejriwal heading the AAM ADMI party has undergone a major revamping in outlook and approach, this has earned him an unprecedented 3^rd term as Chief Minister of Delhi. He moved from blaming and finger pointing to buckling down and doing work on the ground. He focussed on the usual Bijee, Pani and added Education and Health. He refused to be drawn into any “non value adding” arguments with the Centre and more importantly the Governor.

He did offer freebies at a certain level, over that one had to pay for the services provided. One can argue that it is not right to give anything free, but today almost all State Governments are jumping on the freebie band wagon. Personally agree with the concept that for the minimum consumption required to live with dignity can be free, eg: “X” litres of water and/or “Y” units of electricity. Above that one is charged. This way people are forced to register their connections officially and theft or losses are reduced.

Many political parties are looking at a revival and change in their fortunes in the coming elections. It appears that every party has two options, they can showcase their work and opt for freebies. The option of freebies always exists for a ruling party and as a promise for an aspiring political party. The proposal here is that there is another option, better candidates. This will need two pronged approach: Action political parties must take and actions Election Commission possibly.

We must look at a new set of people who can be ushered into politics so that a freshness is infused. The recent comments where even the Supreme Court has asked parties to relook at their selection criteria for candidates, they have asked them to highlight the criminals records of their candidates almost as soon as they declare their names for elections. Logically, should a criminal be a law maker? But, yet politics seems to thrive on illogical decisions. We can also avoid, the usual candidates, ie PA’s or wife’s of elected reps or social workers

The need of the hour is that every party should focus on the credentials of the candidates. The electorate should be given a better choice and one that can make a difference in governance.

We keep saying we wish to become like Singapore, yet we never look at the quality of the Singapore politicians. In Singapore one has to be a top performer in profession before aspiring to be a politician. In India, for a peon’s job in Government one needs a minimum qualification but for a politicians there is none. So the first step is to select candidates who have an education, preferably from a reputed institution and preferably a post graduate. Yes, just having a degree does not guarantee leadership qualities, so the candidate must have worked in a leadership role for a minimum number of years, let us say for example 10 years. This is enough time to polish his leadership capabilities and also to mature.

The next thing is that the candidate is financially secure, he should already own the basic necessities in life, eg: house, car and have a minimum net worth. Ofocurse, if he is a successful professional he would be financially secure. Today, many politicians are rags to riches stories when in power, but once out of power their fortunes also dwindle. This tells its own story. A financially secure person is more likely, there can be exceptions, to take decisions for the good of the State than for his or her own benefit.

The candidate should have no criminal record. This includes and cases which maybe in court but not where judgement is awaited or under appeal. In other words the candidate should be spotless.

Given that, we have such a huge population, it surely will not be difficult to find such candidates, whose track record will speak for their ability to deliver once elected.

The role of EC will be to push for laws to prevent party hopping. If not, elections should be had for individuals who then choose their party based on the best deal, oops read, best for constituency development. A suggestion, assuming one feels stiffled in a party and wishes to change, please do so but no leadership role and no contesting elections for five years. It will help the person to understand the values of his new party. There is no doubt the anti defection law needs strengthening, else faith in the system will be eroded.

Another change would be no independents, you cannot run a government with strength one. So ideally a party must contest and that too they must stand for elections in at least 50% of the constituencies, meaning they have a chance of forming the Government. Just standing in a few constituencies to create a king maker or trouble make effect does not help the State or Country, though there maybe some personnel benefits.

In elections we must move away from this current thought process of voting AGAINST someone or something to voting FOR a party and its manifesto. In Delhi, this was the difference people voted FOR a new way. Let us all try and push our representatives or aspiring representatives to make a change.